Pennsylvania Road, Liverpool, Merseyside, L13

To call Pensylvania Road a cul-de-sac is to over-simplify things but, with only one road from which to gain access it fits the term even if it feels more like a small estate on its own. Number 80 is the last house on one of its arms and is set apart from the rest by being detached in a sea of mere semis. Now there's posh.... The bulk of the estate is centred round the Clubmoor allotments with their impressive clubhouse, putting those with green fingers within a brief stroll of like minded folk and the chance to reduce Asda's already bloated profits by growing their own food, which is a satisfying thought. For anyone with more athletic habits, number 80 lies adjacent to the pitches of Stoneycroft FC so whether your interests involve playing or simply watching, you couldn't be better placed.

In front of the home is a wide parking area before the drive passes the side of the building, towards the detached garage at the rear. This area is surrounded by tall hedges giving both privacy and protection from any stray balls but sadly, or not depending on your level of interest, they also reduce the view....
Opening the semi-glazed white UPVC front door we enter the inner hallway where immediately to our right is the ever useful downstairs cloakroom. This is kept cosy by having its own radiator and provides the expected combination of a hand basin and lavatory and more importantly, enough space to use them in comfort.

Opposite here is the door into the lounge, while the hall continues past the foot of the turned staircase to where another door reveals a large and convenient store cupboard. This is perfect for concealing all the detritus every home possesses but there is never any room to hide away, like Hoovers, ironing boards, old paint tins and 'stuff that will come in handy one day'.
Moving into the lounge we find a large room with plenty of natural light thanks to the large front facing picture window and space to indulge your wilder fantasies in your choice of furniture. Some of today's huge corner settees tend to dominate living spaces, making moving around the room awkward but here, there is space to cope.

At the rear of the room twin bi-folding doors open into the dining section of the kitchen/diner but before you panic, this is of a size that ensures it works; instead of some of the offerings where the designer has ruined a perfectly good kitchen by sticking a table at one end and leaving a kitchen too small to work in and with a dining room where fights break out among the children over who is taking too much room. Always guaranteed to ruin a peaceful Sunday lunch... This section, with its space for a sensibly sized dining table is separated from the kitchen itself by a breakfast bar where stools provide a handy location for casual meals when getting out the posh cutlery is just too much faff. This is also deep enough to provide additional storage to the kitchen which is nice, if not strictly necessary as the kitchen units are large and well thought out, giving all the storage you should need. Unless you are running a soup kitchen.... If we include the Breakfast bar, there are units to all four sides and contain all the 21st century aids the modern housewife (or househusband) has come to expect, with the majority of these items being integrated. Any chefs with serious intent will be more than happy with the eye level ovens and range style five burner gas hob as they beaver away feeding the ravenous hordes... sorry, their darling children.
At the rear of the dining room is a large set of patio doors which, being fully glazed make the whole room feel light and airy, almost giving the sensation of eating outdoors but without the inconvenience. Opening these however, reveals the rear garden in all its glory where manicured lawns intersected by paths of Indian stone paving lead towards the large area of raised decking, the perfect spot for a touch of sun worship as you waste away your weekend. Immediately outside the patio doors more Indian stone is fashioned into a large circle, currently the site for a free standing hot tub though whether this would be included in the sale I cannot say. The whole garden is surrounded by fencing which is of a height to give privacy as you do whatever it is you do in a hot tub, but not so high as to feel oppressive. To one side is the detached garage, where the back wall features another set of glazed patio doors revealing your own garden bar, the must-have addition to any home for the socially minded. Or perhaps somewhere to sulk alone, have a drink and wait for the post argument atmosphere to settle down. If you're sulking, it may as well be in comfort.

Returning indoors and climbing the turned staircase to the landing, we turn right to find the first of the bedrooms. Overlooking the rear garden this is a slightly 'L' shaped room where the resulting recess could perhaps benefit from being filled in, forming a large fitted wardrobe as this would still leave comfortably enough space for other free standing furniture along with a double bed.

Adjacent to here the second bedroom shares its outlook, if not its shape. This room is almost square and owing to its generous proportions will accommodate any configuration of furniture you choose.

Opposite the head of the stairs lies the family bathroom which, while not being the biggest example on the planet contains all you actually need and is immaculately presented. Tiled throughout to chest height, rising to full ceiling height above the bath and with an attractive and practical herringbone finish floor, it contains a suite of pedestal hand basin with storage beneath, lavatory and traditional bath with a folding glass side screen to prevent overspray from the shower.

To the front of the home are a virtual replication of the two rear facing bedrooms but in these, the 'L' shaped one has been fitted with a massive wardrobe which completely fills the alcove, making the case for using it as a bespoke dressing room should your family numbers permit. Or alternatively, there is still space for a bed for one presumably massively overdressed occupant.
The remaining bedroom features a very attractive grey laminate floor which gives an open, almost Scandinavian feel and completes the home nicely.

Summing up

All in all this is the perfect home for a family whose parents are too busy or perhaps simply unwilling to undertake any remedial work because here, there is nothing that needs doing. One of the downsides of suburban living is the trade off between finding somewhere peaceful and the need to be close to the action where shops, schools and other facilities are available. If all homes are a compromise in some way, this one is easier to live with than most, with open green spaces and the peace of the allotments round the corner, yet with the bustle of central Liverpool accessible in a few short minutes.